A monster on my trail

A young hiker worries that his family will encounter a monster in the forest in Kona's picture book. Young Indian American boy Meru wants nothing more than to stay home, but his family isn't having it: His sister, Sia, bursts into his room one morning to declare that they're all going on a hike. "A hike? No way! What if a monster finds us out there?" worries Meru. His dad offers him the coveted position of group navigator. This bolsters Meru's confidence, but he remains anxious about what lies ahead as they pile into the car. On the trail, every little sound, smell, and uncommon texture worries him, even if its source is as innocuous as a scared skunk or a bed of moss. Meru spots a tiny tail and a set of tracks that convince him that a monster is afoot--thankfully, his family helps him think through the situation logically and identify the funny creature that started it all. This stunning debut picture book deftly interweaves themes of mental health and self-care with a love of the outdoors. Meru's big imagination is reflected in the illustrations by Chakraborty's large thought bubbles and humorous background details. Kona's book memorably celebrates an activity that is underserved in children's literature by featuring a family of color that challenges the stereotype of the typical American hiker. A fantastic storybook about facing fears. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.